Hard work and Consistency = Results

I am so excited to feature Jim and all of his amazing work this week. He is a living breathing example of what hard work and consistency can do for results and I am super pumped to be a part of this journey. Jim has been able to stay on track even with a crazy, world traveling, demanding schedule. If he can fit a consistent nutrition plan into his life, so can you!

What were your goals when you started?

They were pretty simple. I wanted to get off the cycle of losing, and finding again, extra weight. I was trying to “out-workout the fork”, which I now know is impossible. In particular in my late 50s. I also needed help with managing an extreme international travel schedule which often set me back in my fitness objectives. Frequent trips to various locations in Asia and Europe were and are a challenge. Crazy schedules, jet lag and enticing food options added up to poor combinations for me. I really decided that rather than wait for retirement to find a time to eat properly, exercise regularly and understand nutrition, I’d start now.

What have you learned about yourself?

I learned more than a few things. First, as a guy who always preached “never be out-researched” to my staff at work, I did not do that for myself. And guess what? All the research has been done. The food science is proven. I didn’t need to start from scratch, because there is help. The myfitnesspal app was a great way to get started. It helped me look at food combinations and quantities before I made choices. I also learned to rely on my coach. I just finished a two week trip though Italy, Switzerland and the UK. Realizing this would be a major challenge, and the app data base would not keep up, we devised a way to keep some discipline. I texted a photo of every meal I ate for two weeks to my coach. Sounds crazy but it worked. I came home lighter than when I left. I also received advice on how to remain active without access to a gym.

I’ve only been at this for 16 weeks, but I’m such a believer. My first sign was sleeping better. I never thought that would show up to the game. Second I’m NEVER hungry in between meals. Really, honestly, NEVER! I had far to little protean in my diet and way too much fat. It took some time to get used to eating the quantity of food that I needed to, in able to hit my numbers. By the way i’m on a nice steady pace of losing a pound a week. The third big sign was not getting that mid afternoon energy lag. A bonus! I also believe that my workout recovery is faster with far less muscle soreness than when I was eating poorly.

What is your big “win” or takeaway from this experience?

I’d have never started the journey without the encouragement from a coach. I had to come to the conclusion that there were things I just didn’t know about nutrition and I needed help. I read books. I hit the internet. I talked to many friends about their “diets”. I’d lose 12 pounds in 21 days. I’d put it back on in a month. My big take away is slow and steady wins the race. And BTW it’s not a race. Enjoy the process, take time to recognize the small but steady improvements, and “real” food is amazing!

What would you tell someone else that is thinking about signing up for coaching or wants to learn more about nutrition?

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The accountability helps but now I’d say not as much as the “phone a friend” approach that is offered. The check-ins, advise, encouragement, and knowledge transfer is awesome.